The wind blew the grasses sideways. It rustled together making a sound I can't explain but am familiar with; a pleasing sound. As I moved upwards towards my chosen spot I frowned knowing, even before I got there, it wouldn't work. I would be upwind and my targets would smell me before I ever saw them. I'd sprayed Polo Sport cologne by Ralph Lauren that morning and the targets would steer well clear of my field of view once they got a sniff on the wind.
I'd have to come up with a new plan. Still, the optimist in me walked to my spot anyway, boots crunching through the now dead spring grasses, tinder dry and crisp underfoot.
My eyes scanned the ground, the knee high grasses mostly obscured my vision but I felt an attempt should be made. I was looking for snakes, the deadly Eastern Brown snake common to this area, in particular. I didn't want to find it, but know it's best to find the slithery buggers before they finds me...so I kept my eyes open.
I questioned the logic in wearing shorts which, had I remembered my gaiters, wouldn't have been an issue. I felt exposed though, and my imagination turned every brush of the long grass on my bare legs into a snake-strike. Right about then I would have appreciated those gaiters that sat on the bench in my workshop where I wouldn't forget them. Damn those gaiters and damn my idiot brain that applied cologne this morning, and wore shorts.
I love this place and love that I am always alone here. It's not mine, but having sole access makes it feel like mine and from the moment my vehicle hits the dirt track I feel better. I like it better when it's green, it's stunning when it is, but no matter what time of year I'm here I appreciate the peaceful feeling that settles upon me and the privilege of being entrusted with this piece of Australia, albeit it for short periods of time.
I refused to let my wind wander to the beautiful contrast of blue skies and lush green rolling hills though, and put it to the task of not getting tagged by a snake and determining what my new plan was going to be; the wind, and more specifically its direction, ruined my plans to shoot from my favourite snipers hide. I had to get upwind, and into a position where I could locate, and safely shoot, my targets without risk. That meant more walking and more snake-watching.
I set out to the east, down a steep hillside that would take me across the creek, now little more than a slight trickle and a few puddles here and there, and back up the hillside directly opposite where I was currently. It would take me about thirty minutes...well, maybe I'd skedaddle along a little more rapidly to lessen the chances of meeting Mr. snakey bastard.
As I walked I thought about the conditions and what it would mean to my shooting this evening. The need to change locations would mean I'd need to shoot at longer range and with the wind conditions that meant an increased difficulty-factor; a reduced hit-probability. An issue, but one I've been trained for.
A little later I was in position, ranging my field of fire and noting the ranges of landmarks and settling in to get comfortable. I'd see no targets for another forty or so minutes as the sun was too high and they'd not be moving about - A perfect time to lay back and soak up the moment.
The rifle I was using tonight - Tikka CTR in .223, bedded in a custom carbon fibre stock mounted with the Khales 624i scope using the SKMR3 reticle.
A little later I took my environmental readings, inserted them to my ballistics solver and created my DOPE chart. I'd be shooting soon, should targets present themselves and the chart would permit me to quickly determine the elevation and windage input required for each shot, depending on the ranged distance from me to the target.
Image snap shot from my ballistics solver, StrelokPro. These are the actual elevation and windage inputs I worked off when shooting. Of course, as the temperature and humidity dropped I had to take new readings and generate new charts. I did so every 15-20 minutes until sundown.
Due to the wind conditions that forced my change of shooting position I'd be shooting at a greater distance than I'd prefer. I'd be shooting well inside half of the range I'm capable of but with head shots being the requirement for culling I'd have to be on my game as the skull-size of the animal is only about 15-20 centimetres long, about the size of a foxes skull and smaller than a roe deer's skull. I took a look at the dead grasses blowing almost flat with the wind and frowned in consternation but began to glass the field of fire looking for targets; I had a job to do and I did it.
My hike back to my vehicle started around 21:00 in fully-dark conditions. I was a little nervous as the Eastern Brown snake is comfortable to move about in the dark hunting, although it's the juveniles that usually do that and they're not due to hatch until later in February. The problem is that with our recent very hot weather often the adults, of about 1.7+ metres long, often move about at night to avoid the heat. At about 35°C they cook (their blood boils) so night is better for them...so I did some extra fast skedaddling whilst trying not to twist an ankle or fall.
I made it back to my vehicle safely and in record time, packed up and headed home for a shower and food and took a few minutes to write this post as well.
I enjoyed my evening tonight...I watched the sunset, had a nice hike, and enjoyed the quietude of the farm upon which I cull...and didn't see any snakes which suits me fine.
It's a very special place and whilst it would be nice to have some company occasionally, I truly love the solitude I find there. Sure, some animals that were once alive are now dead but that comes with the territory when farming and someone has to do the job so that others can pick up their meat at the supermarket in a guilt-free manner and without death on their conscience.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
All images are my own
